Katherine Heigl is finally setting the record straight about her shocking “Grey’s Anatomy” exit. The actress admits that she wanted off of the hit ABC medical drama. However, she claims that the rumors surrounding her departure were not true, per Us Weekly.
In the new book, “How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy” by Lynette Rice, Katherine Heigl finally reveals why she left the show. “I started a family, and it changed everything,” she said. “I went on family leave and just got to be a [mom], and it changed my whole perspective … that was really the turning point.”
Heigl also admitted that before she was supposed to return to the series, she contacted creator Shonda Rhimes and told her she wanted to leave the show. “Before I was due back, I spoke again to Shonda about wanting to leave,” Heigl explained. “Then I waited at home until I was given the formal OK that I was off the show. The rumors that I refused to return were totally untrue,” she added.
Meanwhile, the book quotes anonymous sources who say that Heigl’s exit was more dramatic than she claims. The sources confess that then-ABC president Steve McPherson, as well as Rhimes, were “fed up” with Heigl and wanted to “get her out.”
Katherine Heigl opens up about her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ departure in new book
Of course, Katherine Heigl’s character, Izzie Stevens, did exit “Grey’s Anatomy,” much to the disappointment of fans. Heigl hasn’t been seen on the show. However, it was revealed during Season 16 that she and her former husband Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) were back together and raising two children.
Back in January, Katherine Heigl opened up about a possible return to “Grey’s Anatomy.” While she didn’t give a definitive answer, the actress admitted that she would consider it. “I don’t know, but I would never say never,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
The issue is now that Izzie could only return if there was also an update about Alex. The plot has linked the two together and fans would obviously want to see both of them if one were to return.
While a “Grey’s Anatomy” return may not be in the cards for Katherine Heigl, fans can still watch Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and the rest of their favorite characters when the show returns for Season 18 on September 30.